Amor Towles rarely disappoints. Unlike his other three books (The Lincoln Highway, A Gentleman in Moscow, and Rules of Civility), Table for Two is a collection of six short stories, all set in NYC, plus a novella. The novella builds on Rules of Civility, following Evelyn Ross, a character from that book, to Hollywood. Interesting characters, plot twists, and vivid imagery - what more can you ask for!
On my journey to understand Existentialism better, I have recently taken on the project to read Either/Or by Kierkegaard. This is perhaps one of the most rigorous literary undertakings that I have pursued, for I find it hard to read and understand Kierkegaard. Yet I'm drawn to grapple with this work as it laid foundations for the existentialist tradition through its exploration of aesthetic and ethical life-views. In Either/Or, Kierkegaard asked probing questions, including how should one live life, what constitutes authentic existence and selfhood, how does one find meaning amidst existential dread and anxiety, among other things.
In my quest to understand continental philosophy, particularly existentialism, I came across the work of Romanian philosopher Emil Cioran titled "On the Heights of Despair." In this book, Cioran inquires about human existence and the role of despair and suffering. Through the 66 titled sections, Cioran urges us to confront despair directly rather than avoiding it.
Although Camus rejected the label of an Existentialist philosopher, it makes sense to read him within this philosophical tradition. His exploration of existential themes resonates with the core tenets of existentialism. In “The Myth of Sisyphus,” Camus poses the fundamental question: Is life worth living in a world devoid of any inherent order or meaning? (The short answer: yes.) Camus contemplations make us to confront the absurdity of existence, where the struggle for purpose persists despite the universe’s indifference.
The following first paragraph from the book is such a great opening...
"There is but one truly serious philosophical problem, and that is suicide. Judging whether life is or is not worth living amounts to answering the fundamental question of philosophy. All the rest— whether or not the world has three dimensions, whether the mind has nine or twelve categories—comes afterwards. These are games; one must first answer. And if it is true, as Nietzsche claims, that a philosopher, to deserve our respect, must preach by example, you can appreciate the importance of that reply, for it will precede the definitive act. These are facts the heart can feel; yet they call for careful study before they become clear to the intellect"
Keeping up with the existentialism theme for the year, I have been reading Nausea by Sartre. The book explores the central theme of existentialism: the idea that existence precedes essence. This philosophical idea marks a departure from the traditional school of thought that individuals have a predefined essence or nature. Through the character of Antoine Roquentin, Sartre explores the emptiness and absurdity of life.
I plan to spend 2024 delving deeper into existentialism. While I am somewhat familiar with the general concepts of Husserl’s phenomenology, the existence of God in Kierkegaard’s existentialism, and Camus’s absurdism, I have yet to fully immerse myself in their works. This year, I am challenging myself to understand more about the principle that existence precedes essence. To help in this journey, I have chosen to read At the Existentialist Café by Sarah Bakewell, having enjoyed reading book below (How To Live: A Life Of Montaigne) by her last year.